China's economic growth continues to slow
down, with the world’s second-largest economy facing headwinds due to the
ongoing effects of deleveraging. Despite years of solid growth, cooling
property markets and uncertain trade conditions are likely over coming months
as policy makers attempt to curb excessive borrowing and industrial
overcapacity. Australia is likely to feel the pressure more than most, with one
US hedge fund warning of an impending banking crisis in both countries.

The Australian population has grown by 8.8%
over the past 5 years, bringing present day numbers to just over 24.5 million
people. Despite strong population growth, the distribution of people is far
from even as people increasingly gravitate towards large urban centres. Using
data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), let's take a look
at the fastest growing cities and states in Australia over the last year and
the fastest growing local areas over the last five years.

Your home is your sanctuary - the one place
where you can relax, unwind, and forget about the troubled world outside. If
you're not careful, however, your home can become contaminated and dangerous,
through the introduction of household chemicals and other unsafe products. In
order to make better decisions for yourself and your family, it's important to
understand why these chemicals are dangerous and find safe working
alternatives.

The world is getting faster and more
connected all the time, making it more important than ever to slow down and
look after your health. As it turns out, spending time at the beach is one of
the best ways you can look after yourself, with multiple studies highlighting
the physical and mental benefits of time by the ocean. Not only does the beach
promote happiness and general wellbeing, it's also a great way to relax,
improve brain function, and help fight off infection.

Plastic pollution is getting out of
control, with landfills and oceans across the world clogging up with this
highly toxic material. Because plastics don't break down like other man-made
products, three-quarters of the stuff ends up as waste and only a small
proportion is ever recycled or reused. While small efforts are being made to
ban plastic bags in Australia and other western countries, much more needs to
be done to address this huge and growing problem.